Dogs in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany: rules, tax and travel
In North Rhine-Westphalia the strict duties (notification, chip, insurance, Sachkunde) apply to large dogs (40 cm or 20 kg and above) and listed or dangerous dogs. All dogs must be leashed in pedestrian zones, enclosed parks, public buildings and at events.
The Landeshundegesetz NRW is a state law; the Ordnungsamt of each municipality handles notifications and may allow off-leash areas.
The national rules for Germany apply here too. National rules
Breed rules
| Where | Rule | Breeds and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nordrhein-Westfalen | Restricted | American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, crosses LHundG NRW §3 gefährliche Hunde: permit, Sachkunde before the official vet, criminal record check, liability insurance, microchip, leash and muzzle outside fenced property. [1] |
| Nordrhein-Westfalen | Restricted | Alano Español, American Bulldog, Bullmastiff, English Mastiff, Spanish Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, Rottweiler, Tosa, crosses LHundG NRW §10 Hunde bestimmter Rassen: permit, Sachkunde, insurance, leash and muzzle; large dogs (40 cm / 20 kg) of any breed must be notified and leashed in built-up areas. [1] |
Registration and microchip
Keeping a large dog (at least 40 cm shoulder height or 20 kg) must be notified to the Ordnungsamt; the fee quoted by Münster is 25 EUR. Smaller dogs are only registered for dog tax with the municipality.[2]
Large dogs, listed breed dogs and dangerous dogs must have a tamper-proof microchip and the number must be reported to the local authority. No chip duty for smaller dogs was found.[3]
Dog tax and licence
Düsseldorf charges 96 EUR a year for the first dog according to 2026 comparison pages. Each municipality sets its own rate.[4]
typical 96 EUR a year
Owners of large dogs need a Sachkundebescheinigung from a recognised expert or an authorised vet. Owners of listed or dangerous dogs need one as well.[2]
Insurance
Liability insurance with 500,000 EUR for personal injury and 250,000 EUR for other damage is compulsory for large, listed and dangerous dogs. Not compulsory for smaller dogs.[2]
Leash and muzzle
All dogs must be on a suitable leash in pedestrian zones and busy shopping streets, publicly accessible enclosed parks and playgrounds (except marked dog areas), at public events, and in public buildings, schools and kindergartens. Large dogs must also be leashed on public roads in built-up areas. Muzzle duty applies to dangerous dogs.[3]
Laws change: this is general information, not legal advice. The authority linked on each line has the final word.
Sources
- stadt-muenster.de/ordnungsamt/allgemeines-ordnungswesen/landeshundegesetz.html (official)
- stadt-muenster.de/ordnungsamt/allgemeines-ordnungswesen/landeshundegesetz (official)
- tieraerztekammer-nordrhein.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Das-Landeshundegesetz-vom-18.pdf (secondary source)
- finanz.de/steuern/hundesteuer/ (secondary source)